The Richardson Pioneer Weyburn Red Wings improved to 3-2 on the preseason Wednesday night, as they topped the Notre Dame Hounds 3-2 at Duncan McNeill Arena in Wilcox. The win coming after the Hounds took a 2-1 victory from the Wings at Crescent Point Place on Tuesday. 

The Hounds had the early momentum in the game, with Jared Sych scoring on the power play with 6:15 left on the clock in the first period. It was one of 18 shots the Hounds put on goal in the frame and the only one that got by Weyburn goalie Dazza Mitchell in the period. 

In the second period, however, all the momentum swung to Weyburn’s favour, starting with a goal from Ty Mason to even things up 3:39 into the middle frame. The goal, Mason’s second of the preseason, was assisted by Simon Pollock.  

Notre Dame would reply with 8:47 to play, making it 2-1 Hounds, thanks to Brandon Kerr. The lead for the home side wouldn’t last long, though. 

Just under four minutes later Dante Ballarin beat Notre Dame goalie Johnathan Verity to make it 2-2. The tally was assisted by Brandon Kasdorf and Cayde Augustine.  

The offensive momentum in the second period saw the shots on goal come out 19 to 12 in favour of Weyburn, and the pressure continued in the third, with another 15 shots on goal compared to Notre Dame’s five.  

One of those 15 shots would get past Verity with 3:31 remaining in regulation. Ethan Whillans notched his first goal of the preseason, assisted by Ballarin and Kasdorf, to give Weyburn the 3-2 lead. Late game pressure from the Hounds, who pulled the goalie with just over a minute to play, wouldn’t be able to even the game up, and Weyburn came away with the victory. 

The Wings will now get ready for their final preseason game this coming Sunday. They will welcome the Estevan Bruins to Crescent Point Place. The two teams have met twice this preseason, with Weyburn winning both of those games. The matinee affair will start at 3:00 p.m. Sunday.